Architectural Nexus A Fusion that Works Architectural firms frequently buy or absorb other firms, but a true merger is something special. Architectural Nexus (Arch Nexus) was formed in 2003 when Jensen Haslem Architects and Thomas Peterson Hammond Architects decided that they no longer wanted to compete against each other, but to form a new entity using their compatible operational systems and corporate values to pursue larger, more complex projects. The union was remarkably successful. In 2025, Arch Nexus is comprised of approximately 100 professionals, in offices in Salt Lake City and Sacramento, working on projects throughout the Intermountain West. Robb Harrop is the president of Arch Nexus and was with Jensen Haslem prior to the merger. He said that the merger positioned the firm to be awarded the thought-rich projects that define the firm. Their legacy clients now include the Huntsman Cancer Institute, St. Luke’s Foundation in Idaho, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake County and federal clients like Hill Air Force Base. “We have been blessed with opportunities. Everything we do is geared toward making the experience meaningful for the clients, users and us,” said Robb. The values that the firm uses to guide its operations are: • Inspiration: Everything we do should be inspiring for the users. • Stewardship: We are responsible for our clients’ resources, positioning them for success. • Regeneration: We work the sustainable way; businesses and companies extend beyond themselves. “Culture has always been front and center of who we are. We are people-driven. We believe we do outstanding projects because we work with amazing people. When people are passionate about what they do, it spreads across all aspects of the disciplines,” Robb said. Arch Nexus leadership explains how that plays out in real-time, with real clients. Thomas Peterson Hammond and Jensen Haslem both had a healthcare market focus, and this commonality was one of the motivations for their union. Huntsman Cancer Institute has been a long-term Arch Nexus client. Don Finlayson explained how that began in his “Legends” interview: “At the Huntsman Cancer Hospital, we had an opportunity to start from scratch and do healthcare the right way. Working with me was a physician, Joe Simone, who was vital to the development of the Huntsman Cancer Institute and the director of the hospital. And we laid out some principles: We said the patient comes first. And throughout the design process, we would ask that question, ‘What’s best for the patient?’ And what you see when you visit that facility is our take on what was best for the patient, even if that made the assignments for those who work there a little bit more difficult.” Although their portfolio extends into many markets, healthcare is still a strong suit of the firm. Arch Nexus now has a three-decades old relationship with the Huntsman Cancer Institute, and Robb and Lisa Whoolery (Arch Nexus’ board chair) say that relationship is built on skills, service and truth-telling. Robb adds, “Huntsman believes that we know what their mission is, and that we can deliver the critical architectural infrastructure that the staff relies upon to deliver their services. The comprehensive facility, as well as the pleasant environment, provides the patients more optimism in their journey through a cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment.” Robb, who is a cancer survivor himself, said, “I saw first-hand the experience of what it meant to realize John Huntsman’s vision, from the patient’s standpoint: It is a daunting mountain of unknowns. When you go to a facility like Huntsman, and see the effort, money and research that is also expressed through beautiful architecture, you think, ‘Yeah, I have a partner who can help me beat this, help give me answers to some really big questions.’” Adam Garcia Alta Calcagno Brian Cassil Lisa Garlick Lisa Whoolery Rachel Sittler Robb Harrop 19
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